New hospice center to feature gardens, access to nature

The Homestead, an inpatient hospice center, is being built on property adjacent to the MedWest-Haywood hospital campus in Clyde.

About $7,000 was raised by a recent brunch and auction to purchase plants, shrubs and trees for the gardens at The Homestead.

The keynote speaker for the event was Nancilee Wydra, who spoke about “Designing Garden Spaces.”

Wydra noted a garden can offer relaxation, empowerment, connections, healing, acknowledge life transitions and be a place of joy and play.

“The places we inhabit affect the way we act, interact and react,” Wydra said. “When sequestered, we are separated from nature and don’t feel as content or alive.”

The gardens at The Homestead are scheduled to open in November. They will allow people to continue to experience nature. The atmosphere of the six-room Homestead facility will be homelike, with provisions for family members and pet visitation.